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RA drug trials appear unaffected by background glucocorticoid use

Publish date:: March 2, 2020

Key clinical point: No significant differences in efficacy emerged in trials of methotrexate, tocilizumab, or adalimumab between rheumatoid arthritis patients using or not using background glucocorticoids.

Major finding: Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission rates and ACR50 response rates at 24 weeks were not significantly different between glucocorticoid users and nonusers in studies of methotrexate, tocilizumab, or adalimumab.

Study details: The data come from four double-blind randomized, controlled trials including 1,750 rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. Lead author Dr. Safy-Khan disclosed a student grant from AstraZeneca; several coauthors disclosed employment with companies including F Hoffman-LaRoche, Novartis, and Everest Clinical Research.

Citation:

Safy-Khan M et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020 Jan 16. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216537.

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